Pay vs cost of living
How far does a Chemist's pay go, state by state?
A Chemist's pay leaves the most room in District of Columbia — about $9,222/mo take-home against $1,900/mo typical rent — and the least in Nevada.
| State | Est. take-home | Typical rent | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $9,222/mo | $1,900/mo | 21% |
| Maryland | $8,071/mo | $1,683/mo | 21% |
| Delaware | $7,143/mo | $1,321/mo | 18% |
| New Mexico | $6,559/mo | $1,034/mo | 16% |
| Wyoming | $6,305/mo | $979/mo | 16% |
| Massachusetts | $7,034/mo | $1,716/mo | 24% |
| Louisiana | $6,128/mo | $1,028/mo | 17% |
| Texas | $6,204/mo | $1,328/mo | 21% |
| Michigan | $5,849/mo | $1,072/mo | 18% |
| Missouri | $5,737/mo | $997/mo | 17% |
| Connecticut | $6,175/mo | $1,483/mo | 24% |
| Rhode Island | $5,933/mo | $1,289/mo | 22% |
| Georgia | $5,932/mo | $1,320/mo | 22% |
| Alabama | $5,535/mo | $967/mo | 17% |
| Virginia | $6,076/mo | $1,547/mo | 25% |
| Mississippi | $5,314/mo | $933/mo | 18% |
| Colorado | $6,039/mo | $1,659/mo | 27% |
| West Virginia | $5,210/mo | $848/mo | 16% |
| California | $6,319/mo | $1,969/mo | 31% |
| Ohio | $5,335/mo | $986/mo | 18% |
| Tennessee | $5,459/mo | $1,111/mo | 20% |
| Kentucky | $5,148/mo | $918/mo | 18% |
| North Dakota | $5,115/mo | $911/mo | 18% |
| Kansas | $5,208/mo | $1,025/mo | 20% |
| Illinois | $5,393/mo | $1,246/mo | 23% |
| Vermont | $5,320/mo | $1,207/mo | 23% |
| North Carolina | $5,164/mo | $1,147/mo | 22% |
| Minnesota | $5,240/mo | $1,230/mo | 23% |
| Iowa | $4,910/mo | $932/mo | 19% |
| New Jersey | $5,627/mo | $1,656/mo | 29% |
| Alaska | $5,309/mo | $1,361/mo | 26% |
| Indiana | $4,893/mo | $1,022/mo | 21% |
| South Carolina | $4,958/mo | $1,131/mo | 23% |
| New York | $5,424/mo | $1,621/mo | 30% |
| Washington | $5,444/mo | $1,641/mo | 30% |
| Pennsylvania | $4,921/mo | $1,176/mo | 24% |
| Florida | $5,277/mo | $1,542/mo | 29% |
| Wisconsin | $4,763/mo | $1,033/mo | 22% |
| Arkansas | $4,618/mo | $903/mo | 20% |
| Oregon | $5,080/mo | $1,431/mo | 28% |
| Utah | $4,968/mo | $1,396/mo | 28% |
| Hawaii | $5,419/mo | $1,927/mo | 36% |
| New Hampshire | $4,891/mo | $1,424/mo | 29% |
| Idaho | $4,492/mo | $1,163/mo | 26% |
| Nebraska | $4,287/mo | $1,017/mo | 24% |
| South Dakota | $4,119/mo | $910/mo | 22% |
| Oklahoma | $4,173/mo | $970/mo | 23% |
| Arizona | $4,578/mo | $1,419/mo | 31% |
| Montana | $3,979/mo | $1,031/mo | 26% |
| Maine | $3,951/mo | $1,104/mo | 28% |
| Nevada | $3,588/mo | $1,478/mo | 41% |
Take-home is that state's BLS OEWS 2023 median wage after a rough ~22% tax estimate — a ballpark, not a real paycheck. Rent is population-weighted Census gross rent (utilities included). Neither includes state taxes, insurance, or the cost of moving.